Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. What does that mean? Well, we pump peanut butter into your jar, and the oil in your car. We glue the soles of your shoes, the glass in your windows and the screen on your phone. We spray the finish on your vehicle, coatings on your pills, the paint on your house and texture on your walls. Graco is part of your daily life.

Where You’ll Work – Contractor Equipment Division (CED)

The Contractor Equipment Division makes sprayers that apply paint to walls and other structures, with product models for users ranging from do-it-yourself homeowners to professional paint contractors. Contractor equipment also includes sprayers that apply texture to walls and ceilings, highly viscous coatings to roofs, and line markings on roads, parking lots, athletic fields and floors.

The future of CED is bright, with significant investments being made across the business; the division is expanding to accommodate increased demand and growth driven by an investment in new products and innovative ideas. With the global industry ramping up into high gear, CED is positioned to convert contractors accustomed to manually applying paint and other coatings by brush-and-roller to spray technology.

Ready to join us?

Job Purpose:

The Sales Intern is responsible for generating sales growth of designated Contractor Division products in the assigned market(s) using a training, demonstration, and education-focused selling approach. Work closely with Graco Contractor Division Field Sales and Home Improvement Channel Distribution.

*This position is aimed at sophomore- and junior-level college students.

*This is a home-based position. We are currently searching for a Sales Intern for the greater Chicago, IL area. Travel only required throughout the metro area

*Start Date: The Sales Intern will begin at end of May when school is out, working full-time in Summer 2025 (40 hours/week).

Graco is a global leader in the design, development, and manufacture of highly-engineered systems for numerous industrial and commercial applications. This position will support our Contractor Division (CD) based out of Rogers, MN.  At CD our product line meets the needs of the painting and general contractors and includes airless, air and gas-powered sprayers, line stripers, pressure washers, and roofing equipment (http://bit.ly/1zMGRDu). Graco was proud to be named a Best Place to Work in Manufacturing and Production by Fortune Magazine in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Essential Duties:

• Grow sales in the assigned market.
• Use provided database resources to call on home improvement stores.
• Develop immediate solid working relationships with assigned home improvement store personnel.
• Conduct product cycle counts and help maintain plan-o-gram integrity.
• Conduct training sessions and hands-on demonstrations of select Graco equipment.
• Execute in-store selling events targeting DIY & Pro customers.
• Maintain a database of all daily activities.
• Coordination of all activities for the assigned market with CED sales staff.

Position Requirements:

• Completed 2 years towards a Bachelor’s degree in business or technical field or equivalent.
• Hands-on, physical work experience preferred (painting and/or retail sales experience ideal).
• Effective communication skills.
• Hands-on demonstration capability.
• Sales closing experience or capability.

• Willingness and ability to travel within assigned geography with assigned sales reps

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At Graco, you truly make a difference. Your unique talents contribute to our organizational growth and future. Not only do you make a difference, but Graco’s culture empowers employees to create their own career path. Whether you choose to advance within your current department or explore new opportunities in different divisions, you have the ability to build your future. Our managers are here to provide support and guidance as you continue to grow within your career.

Graco has excellent opportunities available to individuals who want to be part of a fast-moving, growing company that is committed to quality, innovation and solving fluid handling problems for our customers. Graco is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by Fortune Magazine in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 & 2022. Graco offers attractive compensation, benefits and career development opportunities. Graco’s comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, stock purchase plan, 401(k), tuition reimbursement and more.

Our company uses E-Verify to confirm the employment and eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.